The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts 1st long run

Hi All, Today was my 1st long run with my 52 Chevrolet 2 ton (Schuyler). My buddy and I made a 40 mile round trip to a landfill and I had about 1500# of load. All went well except 2 issues: When we arrived, I shut the old boy off, and there was just not enough oomph to get the starter to kick it back over. I am wondering if the fact I am still running on a 6 volt system coupled with the fact that I had lots of compression built up after the trip was factor. I am thinking if I convert to a 12 volt system this problem may be eliminated. I have heard there may be some sort of a converter that eliminates the need for replacing everything 6 volts - in other words it only sends 12 volts to the starter. Any ideas there???
Secondly, anyone ever had any experience with the the tranmission thrust washers? I am hearing a clattering in the transmission and am thinking and have been advised this may be the issue.
Hope to hear from you Bolters.
Sam the Meat Man
1952 2 ton Chevrolet - Schuyler

Could be the timing is just a tad fast. Or points slightly off. If the cables are big enough for the 6 volt, it should start reliably.

If it sounds like it grunts while trying to start hot, then the timing may be just a little fast. Might back it off a little and see how it does then. Be sure and check the point adjustment too, cause this also will affect the timing.

Good luck.

Converting the starter to twelve volts would just be masking the problem. Compression does not build up as you drive. As was stated, check your timing. Was the ammeter showing a good charge as you were driving? A bad starter can be affected by heat, but that isn't often a problem on Chevy sixes because of the exhaust routing.

Biggest problem I've seen with these old trucks through out the years, if they are still 6 volt,& having starting problems, is the original larger battery cables have been replaced with the skinny modern 12v cables, which won't do the trick. You need 2/0 cable.

Does this truck have a PTO and what are the chances that it's engaged? I've forgot to shift mine out before and got an unusual noise. I also agree on backing the timing up some, after having the battery load tested,
Scott

one thing you can try, my grandpa told me was to put an 8 volt battery in. he said they used to do that on his dad's farm, it cranked better and was a little stronger, i don't know if you can still buy 8 volt or not.

Eight volt batteries are just another bandaid that works OK on tractors, but not good on anything with lights because they blow pretty quickly. Fix it right.

I had an 8V batetry in my 53' GMC years ago and it was never satisfactory. The battery was never carged prpoerly by the 6V generator. It was a Delco Marine battery in otherwise good condition. I replaced it with a standard design 6V battery from a tractor supply comapany and never had another starting problem. So obviously I do not recommend 8V on a 6V system.

As others have said, be sure that you have proper gauge cables. I had exactly the same symptoms with my 51 half ton, original 6 volts. Wouldn't start after a good run. It turned out all I had to do was clean the cables and engine ground strap connections. Haven't had a problem since I did that several years ago and the six volt system starts like a champ every time. Even if they don't look too bad clean them anyway, before you contemplate changing anything.

Sam the meat man a while back you were concerned the truck wouldn't run but 35mph. did you change anything or just press a little harder on the pedal? Glad to see you made it down the road.

I didn't change a thing- for now I am going to be content with 35-38 mph. Down the road a piece I aim to put a higher speed rear end in the old boy.
Thanks for all your imput, I am going to change the timing back a tad and see what happens, also I will make sure those cables are the correct size.
Sam